Language Arts
Few things can empower a person like the ability to read, write and communicate.
Do you dream of helping children learn to read, write, speak and listen? Our bachelor’s degree program in Language Arts thoroughly prepares you for teaching and motivating young readers and writers in diverse classrooms. Pair your studies with elementary teacher certification and you’ll be qualified to teach all subjects in grades K-5 with the option tobecome certified to teach language arts in grades 6-8 upon meeting the endorsement requirements. Either way, you’ll be part of a well-rounded program that combines academic studies, professional training and multiple field experiences in local schools.
With successful completion of the program, you will earn both a bachelor’s degree and faculty recommendation for the Michigan Elementary Standard Certificate.
Dearborn Discovery Core
Please see the Dearborn Discovery Core (General Education) webpage or additional information.
Foundational Studies
Writing and Communication (GEWO) – 6 Credits
Upper-Level Writing Intensive (GEWI) – 3 Credits
Quantitative Thinking and Problem Solving (GEQT) – 3 Credits
Critical and Creative Thinking (GECC) – 3 Credits
Areas of Inquiry
Natural Science (GENS) – 7 Credits
- Lecture/Lab Science Course
- Additional Science Course
Social and Behavioral Analysis (GESB) – 9 Credits
Humanities and the Arts (GEHA) – 6 Credits
Intersections (GEIN) – 6 Credits
Capstone
Capstone (GECE) – 3 Credits
Core Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Language Arts | ||
| COMP 105 | Writing & Rhetoric I | 3 |
| EXPS 298 | Exploring Writing to Communicate, Learn, & Teach | 3 |
| LING 280 | Introduction to Linguistics | 3 |
| LIBR 465 | Literature for Children | 3 |
| or EDA 236 | Literacy in Grades 3-9 | |
| Social Studies | ||
| EXPS 282 | History & Civics Elem Schools | 3 |
| EXPS 283 | Geography & Econ Elem Schools | 3 |
| or EDM 292 | The world around us: Integrated world geography for upper elementary teachers | |
| Mathematics | ||
| MATH 385 | Math for Elemen Teachers I | 3 |
| MATH 386 | Math for Elem Teachers II | 3 |
| MATH 387 | Math for Elem Teachers III (Not required for the Early Childhood major.) | 3 |
| Science Studies | ||
| NSCI 231 | Inquiry: Physical Science 1 | 3 |
| NSCI 232 | Inquiry:Earth/Planet Science 1 | 3 |
| NSCI 233 | Inquiry: Life Science 1 | 3 |
| EXPS 420 | Science Capstone | 3 |
Not required for the Early Childhood major. | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 39 | |
- 1
Two of the three NSCI core courses may be transferred to UM-Dearborn. A) an introductory physical science will satisfy NSCI 231, B) an introductory earth/planetary science will satisfy NSCI 232, and C) an introductory life science course will satisfy NSCI 233.
BIOL 240/BIOL 242 and NSCI 120/NSCI 121 cannot be used for science credit.
Pre-Professional Requirements
Pre-professional courses are generally completed in the freshman and sophomore year.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDA 205 | Introduction to Education | 3 |
| or EDA 200 | Social Justice & Community Based Education | |
| EDA 419 | Early Literacy/Language Devel | 3 |
| or EDA 219 | Early Literacy: PreKindergarten to Grade 3 | |
Required for Early Childhood and Special Education Majors only | ||
| EDC 240 | Psych of Child Development | 3 |
| EDF 450 | Health, Nutrition and Physical Activity for Children and Families | 3 |
| EDT 211 | Design Tech-Based Learn Solutn | 3 |
| EXPS 250 | Elem Ed Vis & Perf Arts | 3 |
| EXPS 407 | Inquiry-based Math and Science | 3 |
Required for Early Childhood Majors only | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 21 | |
Major Requirements
A minimum of 36 semester hours from the following:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| COMP 105 | Writing & Rhetoric I | 3 |
| EDA 419 | Early Literacy/Language Devel | 3 |
| EDC 476 | Literacy Assessmt for Instr | 3 |
| EDD 447 | Tchng English as Second Lang | 3 |
EDD 448- ESL Practicum is Optional | ||
| ENGL 461 | Modern English Grammar | 3 |
| EXPS 298 | Exploring Writing to Communicate, Learn, & Teach (HIDE COMP 106 in DW) | 3 |
| or COMP 106 | Writing & Rhetoric II | |
| LIBR 475 | Issues Lit Child/Yng People | 3 |
| LIBR 465 | Literature for Children | 3 |
| LING 280 | Introduction to Linguistics | 3 |
| LING 475 | Lang Diversity: Arab Amer Comm | 3 |
| or LING 477 | African American English | |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Intro to Creative Writing | ||
| Advanced Writing | ||
| History of the English Lang | ||
| Lang Diversity: Arab Amer Comm | ||
| African American English | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 36 | |
Program Notes:
- Minimum GPA's are required for program completion: 2.75 cumulative, 2.75 in major, 2.75 in optional minor(s), and 2.75 in Professional Studies.
- Advising Policy: The student is responsible for complying with requirements described in the Undergraduate Catalog as well as on the Four Phase Checklist. Students are expected to meet with their College of Education, Health, and Human Services advisor at least once per year and in the term prior to graduation.
- Courses taken on a PASS/FAIL basis will NOT be accepted toward program completion.
- The minimum number of semester hours required to graduate is 122.
- CEHHS recommends successful program completers for State of Michigan Certification, however, it is ultimately up to the State of Michigan to issue certificates. Certain offenses on a criminal record can keep individuals from obtaining teacher certification. Please refer to The Revised School Code, Act 451 of 1976, section 380.1539b.
- Students must meet Dearborn Discovery Core requirements.
Minor Requirements
A minimum of 24 semester hours from the following:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMP 105 | Writing & Rhetoric I 1 | 3 |
| EDA 419 | Early Literacy/Language Devel | 3 |
| EDD 447 | Tchng English as Second Lang | 3 |
| EDD 448 | Pract: Tchng Engl Secnd Lang 2 | 1 |
| ENGL 461 | Modern English Grammar | 3 |
| EXPS 298 | Exploring Writing to Communicate, Learn, & Teach 1 | 3 |
| LIBR 475 | Issues Lit Child/Yng People | 3 |
| LIBR 465 | Literature for Children 1 | 3 |
| LING 280 | Introduction to Linguistics 1 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 25 | |
- 1
Core courses included in minor semester hours.
- 2
Practicum is optional in the minor.
Program Notes:
- A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required for a minor.
- Advising Policy: The student is responsible for complying with requirements described in the Undergraduate Catalog as well as on the Four Phase Checklist. Students are expected to meet with their College of Education, Health, and Human Services advisor at least once a year and in the term prior to graduation.
- Courses taken on a PASS/FAIL basis will NOT be accepted toward program completion.
- In order to be recommended for endorsements, students must pass the appropriate MTTC exam in addition to completing the coursework.
- MTTC test scores must be reported by electronic delivery or direct mail from Pearson Evaluation Systems to the University of Michigan-Dearborn College of Education, Health, and Human Services. No hand carried scores will be accepted.